Tennessee State US Bicentennial State Song

"Fly Eagle, Fly!"

Words by James Rogers

Adopted in 1975.

Two songs were adopted by the 89th General Assembly. In 1975, Senate Joint Resolution 19 adopted The Tennessee Salute by Richard M. "Pek" Gunn as Tennessee's Bicentennial March. In 1976, Fly Eagle, Fly! by James Rogers was also adopted as an official Bicentennial Song by Senate Joint Resolution 161.

Tennessee State US Bicentennial State Song:
"Fly Eagle, Fly!"

"Fly Eagle, Fly!"

Today, I saw an eagle flying.
Its colors were red and white and blue.
Today, he looked like he was crying.
Where are all the friends he once knew?

Today, I heard the eagle calling.
It echoed from the mountains to the sea.
But again the sounds he made were only falling
Upon the deafened ears of those not free.

And I said, "Fly eagle, fly."
Spread your freedom wings across the sky.
Don't you let 'em bring you down.
Don't let 'em chain you to the ground.
You've gotta be strong to travel alone through the sky.
Oh, fly eagle, fly.

Today, I saw an eagle flying.
As he headed for skies he's never known.
Are the freedoms he left behind him dying?
Will the eagle find another home?

And I said, "Fly eagle, fly."
Spread your freedom wings across the sky.
Don't you let 'em bring you down.
Don't let 'em chain you to the ground.
You've gotta be strong to travel alone through the sky.
Oh, fly you mighty eagle, fly.

Origin of Song: "Fly Eagle, Fly!"

"Two songs were adopted by the 89th General Assembly. In 1975, Senate Joint Resolution 19 adopted The Tennessee Salute by Richard M. "Pek"Gunn as Tennessee's Bicentennial
March. In 1976, Fly Eagle, Fly! by James Rogers was also adopted as an official Bicentennial Song by Senate Joint Resolution 161."

("Tennessee Blue Book" 510-511)

Tennessee Law

Adopted by Senate Joint Resolution, "Fly, Eagle Fly" is not listed in the Tennessee Code.

State Songs

Forty-nine states of the United States (all except New Jersey) have one or
more state songs, selected by the state legislature as a symbol of the state.